This and That...

It has been one of those days where I have felt the need to be in motion. Beginning at 6:30 this morning, I have been compelled to stay in motion, flitting from one activity to another. While helpful in getting things done, it certainly leaves one feeling a bit more tired at the end of the day. My only hope is that it will help me sleep better tonight than I did last night. Tossing, turning, and waking up every hour does not lend itself to feeling rested.

Of the things I did today, I am most pleased with how my latest baking experiment turned out. Looking for something to bring to welcome a new co-worker tomorrow, I browsed several websites looking for something simple enough to make, that didn't require a special trip to the store for ingredients, and would be well-received by pretty much anyone.  I chose to make "Magic in the Middles," a recipe I found on King Arthur Flour's wesbite. 

Image from http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/magic-in-themiddles-recipe

I figure the combo of chocolate and peanut butter is one with which you cannot go wrong. (Unlike other bakers who do an amazing job capturing their work in progress, it is best for me NOT to show a step by step version. Seriously, I am perhaps one of the messiest cooks you will ever encounter, and my stuff, while usually tasting pretty good, never looks all that pretty.)

I also planted some seeds that will hopefully sprout into seedlings over the next couple of weeks. If all goes well, I will have a small garden with tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, and green peppers. Fingers crossed that my notorious black thumb doesn't crush my future plans.

Other than that, it was a lot more yard work (despite the overcast skies and chilly air), a long walk while chatting on the phone with my parents, and a few other random chores. Nothing exciting, but enough to keep me busy. Still, I managed to think of several potential blog posts throughout the day--it is strange how certain activities trigger memories that seem not at all related to what you are doing--but actually writing about any of them has proven to be elusive. Has anyone else ever thought that perhaps it would be better to write out a blog entry then type it up to share? While in grad school, I picked up the habit of handwriting a majority of my papers before finishing the final draft. Considering how I used to write everything only on the computer (except for in-class essays, of course), it seems almost like a step backwards technologically. Yet, I still think that perhaps pencil and paper would help me capture some of these fleeting ideas in a way that I can flesh out at a later date. If you haven't figured it out by now, I have a lot to say, even if no one else cares to hear it :)

Alas, today is not the day that I explore the joys of traveling solo, recollect fond memories of watching my tent fly over a cliff, or reminisce about being a member of the defense team working to prove that Ashley Thornhill was not guilty of murder. So, until I manage to get pencil to paper or break down the mental block preventing me from writing anything remotely interesting, I bid you adieu. Enjoy the rest of your evening, and here is hoping you all have an excellent week ahead!

Springtime

I think it is actually here.  No more false alarms or merciless teasing.  Winter seems finally to be taking its leave of the Kansas City area, and I for one am ready to fully embrace the beginning of spring.  The past couple of days have been picture perfect.  Sunny and warm, but not too hot.  Add on the extra hour of daylight after work (the only good thing about losing an hour of sleep on Sunday), and there is every reason to be outdoors, soaking it all in.

I never realized the true beauty of spring until having lived in an area that experiences real winter.  (Sorry, Texas. Temperatures dropping below freezing every so often from December through February don't really count.)  While I appreciate that all seasons have a unique beauty--for all its hassles, there is nothing like a pure blanket of snow to make even the grimiest of views look magnificent--spring is the one that excites me most.  Perhaps it is all the pent up energy that has been building since the short days have kept me indoors.  Maybe it is being able to leave the house without five layers on to keep out the cold. Most likely though, it is watching a city come to awaken from its hibernation.  

After work yesterday, I went for a long walk.  I started out on the local Trolley Trail with no real destination in mind.  Fairly quickly, I reached the end of this particular leg of the trail, but my feet compelled me further.  I crossed over the creek toward the Country Club Plaza (one of Kansas City's greatest treasures), but not wanting to make my way through the crowds of people or the crush of cars, I veered east and headed to one of my absolute favorite places in Kansas City.  It was as if my feet knew exactly what I needed without having to let my head in on the secret.

Looming over a meticulously manicured lawn stands the neoclassical building housing the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Inside are masterpieces from all over the world, from ancient Egypt to Renaissance Italy to modern America.  Each wing of the museum could make one pause for some time, and an entire may be lost in its premises.  I passed several winter days here quite contentedly, but I have to admit that I longed for it to be warm enough outside to bask in the sun.  

Because as impressive as everything inside happens to be, I find more to do on the outside.  Whether it be strolling through the sculpture garden (of which, the most distinguishable pieces are the gigantic shuttlecocks) or finding a bench to sit and read, there is plenty to do or see.  I have seen flag football games played on the lawn.  I have seen people flying kites. I have even seen people performing plays.  The randomness of what one may encounter is one of the things that keeps drawing me back.

It is a place where can watch smiling families enjoy a picnic, new couples enjoying a romantic stroll, or artists honing their skills.  It is a place I can sit by myself and read a book without fear of interruption. I imagine it is  a place I could write if I ever find the nerve to start crafting stories again. But none of these possibilities occur to me during the winter.  Like the rest of the city, my mind is shaking off the slumber of the winter and waking up alive and refreshed.  And maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to capture the essence of spring and have it sustain me all year through.

Do you have a place you gravitate to? If so, what makes it so special for you?

(Amazingly enough, I do not have any of my own pictures of the museum.  I never really have been much of a photographer.  I promise to have a camera with me next time I start to wander!)*


Addendum:  Went for a walk this evening and took some photos: 

Southern side of the museum. This is where I usually hang out.

Northern entrance.  Love the reflection pond.